Today we worshiped
at Grace Church of Harmony, 538 Main Street, Harmony, PA 16037, 724.452.7270, www.gcoh.org, Peter Everett, Senior Pastor.
Scripture
– NIV
Matthew
22:1-14
Jesus also told them other parables. He
said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who
prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent
his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!
“So he sent other servants to tell them,
‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed,
and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited
ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business.
Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.
“The king was furious, and he sent out
his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. And he said to his
servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy
of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So
the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the
banquet hall was filled with guests.
“But when the king came in to meet the
guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding.
‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But
the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet
and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing
of teeth.’
“For many are called, but few are
chosen.”
Romans
11:25-32
I do not want you to be ignorant of this
mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has
experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come
in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion; he
will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I
take away their sins.”
As far as the gospel is concerned, they
are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved
on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.
Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as
a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in
order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you.
For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on
them all."
Bob’s
thoughts:
We
were turned around in our efforts to get to where we thought God was directing
us to worship, and when we gave in to God’s leading we ended up at Grace.
An
usher asked if we were there for a family’s child dedication and we responded
that we were just visiting; our only other conversation was with a woman who introduced
herself after the service although I couldn’t help but smile at the friendly
gestures from some babies I interacted with. My memory from our last visit was
of a much friendlier, albeit early, service.
The
youth pastor gave the announcements and asked visitors to fill in the pew card
so they could pray for them during the week.
The
music today was great, especially the violin.
The
sermon started with a story of missionary efforts being redirected by God, which
made me think of how many times – like today – when we have been redirected. We
need to follow GPS: God’s Promises in Scripture.
Jan’s
thoughts:
We
visited the early service at this church just over a year ago and today we participated
in the later service. Apparently today we were far from the only visitors due
to a child dedication during the service. Once inside we were looking around
and one gentleman paused on his way through the lobby area to offer directions
to the facilities.
As
we found seats I wondered how long it had been since I sat in a regular pew.
Somehow it felt right to be in such traditional surroundings on this First
Sunday of Advent.
The
uplifting music was superb, helped along by the violin, two guitars, and
another instrument just out of my line of sight. The special music for the
offering was one that was new to me called “How Many Kings,” a moving song that
I highly recommend.
I
appreciated the sermon outline provided in the Order of Worship since this
message, “Future Restoration,” was part of a series based on the deeply
theological book of Romans. The future restoration referred to is of Israel, as
he reminded that “God has everything in human history and in your life planned
out to the last detail,” that “His promise to Abraham is irrevocable…when God
says He will do something, it will happen for certain.” Final points included
the strong reminder that “No unbeliever is beyond the reach of God’s mercy.”
At
times we wonder what is taking God so long, what is the purpose behind the
“delay” in whatever it is we anticipate, be it the resolution of some issue in
our life or the return of Jesus Christ. If we keep in mind that, as the pastor
pointed out, our salvation is by God’s mercy alone, perhaps we can learn to
wait patiently in faith and gratitude, knowing that He is allowing what is best
for us as well as for the rest of the world. Although we do not understand it,
happily, this is easy for the God Who created the universe. “You will never
regret living like you believed God.”
Our
prayer for this church:
Father,
we pray Your church recognizes Your redirection and that they continue to
follow You. Amen.